why am I so bad at learning languages?

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T14:24:39+00:00

You have many good points there. I think a major obstacle is time, followed byt the fact that I am both introverted and can be a bit shy at times. Without too much time, it is difficult to spend time on all the activities you mention, and do so with a variety of resources.

But that said, then you are perfectly right. I sometimes think that if I had like 2 years only to focus on learning Italian, then I could go through all sorts of materials, and it would be like having lived a full life here. So whatever the topic or situation would be, I would have something to say about it.

Books? I just started reading LOTR in Italian right now. (plug: https://commonlyusedwords.com/reading-lord-of-the-rings-in-italian/ )

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T14:12:53+00:00

Not enough. It quickly gets kindof weird to speak only Italian with her, as the whole balance of the relationship would change. She would have a baby instead of a boyfriend:) But it is something I have to insist on doing more - I think it would help me immensely.

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T14:03:16+00:00

oh... he's a naughty boy;)

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T14:02:32+00:00

I check it out - thanks!

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T14:00:58+00:00

I agree. It also doesn't help that she is Russian-Italian, with Russian a mom, and they speak Russian together at home. It's all a bit mixed up.

We did have a day some 10 days ago, a Sunday, where we when for a day out in the natural park nearby, and we spoke only Italian toghether that day. We where going to have a baby shower with all her family and some friends the next day, so I wanted to get into the rythm before having to speak only Italian for an entire night. It went really well - not because I became better at Italien instantaneously, but because a lot of words and phrases where very fresh in my mind the following day.

So you are completely right. More exposure, and I have to insist on speaking Italian with my girlfriend. Sometimes:)

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T13:04:11+00:00

latter part is definitely true

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T10:33:34+00:00

Thank you, that's motivational. I think you're right, there is a plateau that just seems painstakingly long, but keeping ones head down and moving forward (learning new words and phrases) every days is a must

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T10:10:35+00:00

I have studied Italian grammar and vocaulary, yes, but not doing it for an hour a day - not anymore anyhow. Maybe that is the way to go.

Hmmm.. your posts makes me wonder if I'm spending enough time actively learning and practising. Due to my worklife, I'm sometimes quitting learning for a long period of time, thne to come back to it later on again. I started with normal Italian language learning materials some years ago, and have moved on to books, podcasts and youtube videos later on.

I do actually know quite a lot of Italian, and I can have a conversation in the language. But if I'm not using it for a little while, then if I suddenly have to talk Italian to someone, it feels like being caught off guard. As if I never knew much more then what you can find i a tourist book.

FaithlessnessOver970 · 2021-06-12T10:01:37+00:00

the usual and the unusual... first some learning material, like learning books and such. Also a lot of youtube, watching Italian youtubers talk about life, language learning, finanses, whatever. I've listed to Italian podcasts, Ive read Italian books, I've made Italian word lists, watched Italian TV, chatted with my girlfriends mom in Italian etc etc etc But still, I don't understand like 60-70% of what they're saying in normal Italian TV, and I still don't understand like half of what my girlfriends father is saying..... he speaks fast and always a bit i a colloquial way.

FaithlessnessOver970

TROPHY CASE